Governor Andrew M. Cuomo unveiled the proposed 2013-14Executive Budget and Management Plan that builds on two years of balanced, fiscally responsible budgeting and invests in economic development, education reform, rebuilding after Superstorm Sandy, provides support to local governments and school districts, and includes no new taxes or fees.

Highlights of the Executive Budget:

· Eliminates $1.3 billion budget gap with no new taxes or fees. The expected gap for 2013-14 was projected to be $17.4 billion prior to the last two responsible budgets.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Sen. O’Brien wishes to encourage the people of his district and throughout New York State to stop and reflect on the life of civil rights icon Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, in recognition of the federal holiday commemorating the day of his birth.

A robust package of legislation was signed into law this week to improve the criminal justice system’s response to domestic violence while at the same time provide survivors with enhanced protections so they can more safely sever ties with their abusers.

The bill package addresses the recidivist nature of domestic violence by holding serial offenders more accountable for their behavior with the creation of a new crime and new considerations when determining bail, and creates a state-level Fatality Review Team to find new ways to prevent intimate partner homicides.

Town Hall Meeting hosted by State Senator Bill Perkins with a Panel Discussion and Public Dialogue on Solitary Confinement in New York State and City Prisons with state and local legislators, advocates, the formerly incarcerated, and family members. Panel discussion moderated by Jean Casella, Co-Editor of Solitary Watch, with Jack Beck, Director of Prison Visiting Project, Correctional Association of New York, Dilcio Acosta, Mental Health Alternatives to Solitary Confinement, Sarah Kerr, Staff Attorney of The Legal Aid Society Prisoners' Rights Project, and Lisa Ortega, JAC, New York City Jails Action Coalition.

The traveling African American Experiencein New York exhibit opened this week at Medgar Evers College. The exhibit, which had been on display in the War Room of the State Capitol since February, highlights the themes and people who were honored during Black History Month 2012.

“I am so glad and proud that the President has announced his support for true marriage equality.Last year, the Senate Democratic Conference provided the overwhelming majority of votes to passsame sex marriage in New York. Today, I am hopeful that with the help of President Obama thiswave of equality will spread across the Country and all citizens will experience true equality.”

Senator Serrano met with the Empire State Pride Agenda today in Albany to discuss The Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act (GENDA/S.6349) which prohibits discrimination against transgender New Yorkers when it comes to housing, employment, credit, and public accommodations, while expanding New York's hate crimes law to include crimes against transgender individuals. The group expressed their support for the legislation, in particular the need to prevent hate crimes against the transgender community.

Our Town's Megan Finnegan reported on Liz's forum at the CUNY Graduate Center last week, "The War on Women: An Evening Basic Training."

Krueger was joined on April 24 at the CUNY Graduate Center by Amy Richards, writer and activist; Joe Rollins, executive officer of the Political Science Department at the CUNY Graduate Center; Shelby Knox, director of women’s rights at Change.org; and Jamia Wilson, vice president of programs at the Women’s Media Center. Each was invited to speak about what they feel are currently the biggest threats to women’s rights and how concerned citizens can combat them.

“We should take nothing for granted,” Krueger told the audience of over 100 people. “If we don’t make a stand, if we don’t push the envelope as far as we can back in the opposite direction, if we don’t continue our fight to make progress, then we could wake up another year and a half from now in this country going, ‘Oh my god, we thought 2012 was bad, who imagined this could happen here?’ But this can happen here.”

In a formal presentation on the Senate Floor, Senator Montgomery gave accolades to her constituent, Lesego Pearl Nkosi, upon receiving the Girl Scout Gold Award. This award is the highest and most prestigious award that Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors can earn.

Albany, NY: Public health experts, human rights activists and advocates for sex workers and the LGBT community, joined with NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery (D-Brooklyn) in calling for the passage of the Senator’s legislation (S.323/A.1008) that would barr the use of condoms as evidence of prostitution.